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SI news puSCkation of the Salish and 'Kootenai Triées
of the Jiathead Indian H(eservatwn
Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 16, NUMBER 38
THE COLDEST MONTH
Chief Koostatah of the Kootenai FEBRUARY 10, 1988
Tribes announce proposal for FIIP co-management committee
In a letter to the Montana congressional delegation, the Tribes unveiled a proposal for "a positive framework" for resolving conflicts over the management of the irrigation division of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.
The management of the project's irrigation division is presently embroiled in litigation and political controversy. In the last 20 months, the Flathead Joint Board of Control has filed five lawsuits
relating to FIIP management and water rights.
In a letter to Montana's congressional delegation, Tribal Council Chairman Mickey Pablo stated that the barrage of Joint Board lawsuits has "had the effect of pouring gasoline on a simmering conflict". The Tribes believe, the letter goes on, that it is time to defuse the animosity that swirls around the Project management issue and time to search for common ground and understanding.
"We seek a solution where everybody wins, where paths are worn between
neighbor's houses rather than to the courthouse door," Pablo said.
Submitted with the letter was an eight-page proposal entitled, "A Positive Framework for Resolving Conflicts Over the Management of the Irrigation Division of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project". The major points in the proposal are:
— The Tribes propose that a Flathead Project Co-Management Committee be formed and that this committee discuss and address management issues facing (Concludes on page 12)
44D hearing attracts good-sized audience
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PABLO — Hunters and fishermen from on and off the Reservation gathered at Tribal headquarters here Feb. 1 to discuss proposed changes in the regulations of Ordinance 44D.
Sixty to 70 people met with Tribal and BIA biologists, two Council members and one attorney to talk about the "whys" behind the proposed changes, and the possibility of some future changes.
High on the list of Tribal-member concerns was the question, "Why can't my non-enrolled kids go hunting with me until they're 18 or so?"
Ron Therriault of St. Ignatius expanded on the question, remarking,
"There are around 3,500 Tribal descendants on the Reservation who aren't recognized. The youngsters are Indian until they're 18, when they turn 'white'."
Gratitude was expressed for the rule change that now requires conservation permits for people 18 years old and up, and not from 12 and up, which was the case in 1987.
The possibility of elk hunting in the closed Ferry Basin area earned a lot of comment, too. Biologist Jim Claar explained that the Tribal Council has discussed what, if anything, might be done with the 100 or so elk that have been (Continues on page 4)